In the News

DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — Dyess Air Force Base will be home to the new B-21 stealth bomber if Congress signs off President Trump’s $18-billion budget proposal. On Monday, the Air Force announced plans for its bomber fleet which are included in that budget. “As part of our decisions presented in the FY19 President’s Budget, the Air Force will update the B-52 bomber fleet and fund development of replacement engines,” said Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson. “We will also continue necessary B-1 (Lancer) and B-2 (Spirit) modifications to keep them relevant until the B-21s come on line.” “If the force structure we have proposed is supported by the Congress, bases that have bombers now will have bombers in the future,” Wilson said. “They will be B-52s and B-21s.” Congressman Jodey Arrington confirmed to KTXS that Dyess would be home to the B-21. "Dyess Air Force Base is one West Texas-sized step closer to basing the B-21 bomber," said Arrington. "This is no doubt a tribute to the quality of our Airmen and women at Dyess, and the unmatched support from the community of Abilene." "Abilene and Dyess are inseparable and in order to ensure a bright and prosperous future for the Big Country, securing the B-21 is absolutely essential. This is a generational opportunity for West Texas and, while I am extremely confident the B-21 will grace the Key City, I will continue to be vigilant in championing Dyess to Secretary Wilson, General Rand, and the entire Air Force leadership until I see the Secretary's signature on the dotted line." Gray Bridwell. chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, said this is great news for both Dyess and Abilene because Dyess pumps $1.1 million a day into the Abilene economy. “Dyess is fortunate to have the B-1 bomber. It’s been the backbone of the bomber fleet for years,” said Bridwell. "With the addition of the B-21 at Dyess, it assures Dyess will be around for many years to come,” said Bridwell. The B-21 Raider is expected to be in service by 2025. “The exceptional airmen at Dyess have proven their ability time and again to produce combat-ready crews, and this will help them to further enhance Air Force readiness,” said Sen. John Cornyn. “The fleet of B-21 Raiders will benefit not just the Abilene community, but also our national security for decades to come.” http://ktxs.com/news/abilene/new-b-21-stealth-bomber-coming-to-dyess-pending-ok-from-congress